The convention for fans of the TV programme, Knightmare, held at Epic where the series was originally filmed. Advisors give directions to the fearless dungeoneer, Alex Smith, in the shows favourite scene with slicing blades. From left, Billy Hicks, front, James Aukett, Benjamin 'Pooka' Maydon, and Robin John Barlow, front. Picture: Denise Bradley

Norwich convention celebrates cult children’s TV show Knightmare

Emma Knights
emma.knights@archant.co.uk
Sunday, May 11, 2014
12:08 AM

Fans of the cult children’s TV show Knightmare have bee enjoying stepping into the programme’s fantasy world at a special convention in Norwich.

The convention for fans of the TV programme, Knightmare, held at Epic where the series was originally filmed. Mark Knight in his dressing room as he becomes Lord Fear. Picture: Denise Bradley

The Knightmare Convention is being held this weekend at Epic Studios, in the former Anglia TV studio where the show was filmed in the 1980s and 1990s.

The adventure game show, in which youngsters had to navigate the dungeon to complete their quest, attracted audiences of five million viewers, and on Saturday crowds of fans enjoyed celebrating the series. They were joined Knightmare’s creator Tim Child as well as cast and crew from the show, including Hugo Myatt, (who played the dungeon master Treguard) and Mark Knight (who played Lord Fear).

The convention also continues on Sunday.

“It goes to show the show still has a cult following. It’s very much loved by its fans,” said Knightmare Convention organiser Alan Boyd, who appeared on the show in its final series.

The convention for fans of the TV programme, Knightmare, held at Epic where the series was originally filmed. The Dungeon Master Treguard, actor Hugo Myatt, with Iona Kennedy, left, who played Sidriss (the confused), and a fan of the show, Helen McCulloch dressed as the evil character Aesandre. Picture: Denise Bradley

“Saturday was absolutely fantastic. We have had people dressed up as their favourite characters and people have been excited to meet the characters and actors behind the show.”

He said that perhaps the biggest highlight at the convention was giving fans a chance to play a room of the Knightmare dungeon using the same blue screen technology used in the original show.

“Knightmare had an immense following, this is the show kids wanted to be on, so we are really making childhood dreams come true by giving people the chance to actually play a room of the dungeon.”

The convention was made possible by more than £12,000 being raised through the crowd-funding website Indiegogo, and Mr Boyd said it was hoped there would be another convention in the future.

There was also a performance at Epic on Friday of the stage show Knightmare Live.

Knightmare was broadcast on TV between 1987 and 1994. The stage show was created in 2013 and the TV show also made a return last August for YouTube Geek Week. For more about Knightmare visit www.knightmare.com

• The Knightmare Convention is at Epic Studios, in Magdalen Street, Norwich, on Sunday from 10am to 5pm. For more details visit www.epicstudiosnorwich.com

• Do you have a story about the arts? Email arts correspondent Emma Knights at emma.knights@archant.co.uk